Fuel feeding apparatus



Sept. 14, 1948. w. s. LANDON FUEL FEEDING APPARATUS Filed larch 23, 1944 E' 53 as FIG.2 F163 mmvron ,BY M A. M

' is, ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 14, 1948 Walter S. Landon,

troit Lubricator Detroit, Mich., assignor to De- Company, -corporation of Michigan Detroit, Mich., in

Application March 23, 1944, Serial No. 527,682

11 Claims. 1 i The invention relates to a device for controlling the flow of fluids and it has particular relation toa valve means for controlling flow of fuel to an oil burner.

In the operation or oil burners, for instance, the flow of liquid fuel may be governed by adjustable valve means so as to control the degree of fire. v fected by suitable thermal means. However, in the operation of ordinary systems of this character, the flow of fuel will vary or even stop altogether due to the presence of toreign elements or ingredients, such aswax, which collect around the valve opening. While one might have means for actually varying the supply of fuel oil and varying the fire in accordance with heat requirements, these results have not constantly been obtained due to wax or the like which collects and alters any initially determined relation of parts.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved heating system wherein the disadvantages mentioned above are avoided so This control maybe automatically efthat the fuel burner may be accurately controlled over an indefinite period of time.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a system of this character which is adjustable so as to obtain the improved results desired while still allowing for'a wide range. of variation in amount of oil supplied to the fuel burning equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form ofthermal controlled valve for obtaining an adjustably controlled supply of fuel oil and maintaining the supply constant over a long period of time.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, from the drawing to which it relates and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view illustrating a heating system constructed according to one form of the invention and showing the improved form of ,valve involved in cross-sect? in;

Figure 2 is a detailed view illustrating operation of the valve metering pin with the valve adjusted for the purpose of supplying a large quantity of oil;

Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2, but shows the valve movement when a small amount of oil is being supplied; and

' drical opening l9 at one termined speed, although it may include an oil supply line H), a float control II, a valve l2 for governing the supply of fuel oil to a burner, and a burner i3. The valve is shown on an enlarged scale and in cross-section,

and it should be understood that the liquid may be maintained at a predetermined level by the float, as for instance, at the line il in the valve casing. The burner l3 may supply heat to a furnace for the purpose of heating a room or other space and a thermostat l4 adapted to be in such space may be employed for governing operation of the system. Also, a motor II is shown inbroken lines, and the motor may drive a blower so as to supply air to the burner It in order that the oil will burn. It may be assumed for the purpose of the present invention. that the motor I5 is driven constantly at a predemay be so controlled that when a high fire is required in the [burner the motor will operate at a higher speed and when a low fire is to be maintained the motor will operate at a low speed.

The valve casing i2 is provided with an intermediate horizontal wall it which has a cylinpoint through which the oil flows from an upper chamber 20 in the casing to a lower chamber Zn in the casing. From the latter chamber the oil flows through a line 22 tothe burner. Flow of oil through the opening it is governed by a metering pin 24 which is slidable vertically in an opening 25in a boss 26 on the upper side of the wall i8. This boss has a transverse opening 21 through which oil may fiow to the opening IS.

The metering pin 23 has a larger upper portion 29 which is vertically reciprocatory through an opening 30 in an upper partition 3| fastened to the lower part of the valve casing by screws 32. .These screws also fasten an upper cover 33 for the valve casing, and the cover is of such character as to provide an upper chamber in addition to the two lower chambers. At its upper end the larger portion 29 of the metering pin is vertically guided in an opening 34 in the upper wall of the cover.

In addition to governing the flow of fuel oil through the opening l'9, it is desired to clear or cleanthe opening, as well as the end of the me tering pin, so as to remove wax or other material which may collect and interfere with the flow of fuel oil. This is accomplished in the present invention by moving the valve pin in a vertically recipr atory manner so that it repeatedly moves throng the valve opening while still being withdrawn suillciently during each opening movement so as to allow fuel oil to flow through the'opening. In the first instance, it may be said that it is desired to have the metering pin move entirely through the opening on each stroke so as to immediately clean or clear the valve and, secondly, that the pin be withdrawn on each upward movement a sufllcient amount to allow the desired quantity of oil to flow through the opening. Ad,- ditionally, it is desired to vary the movement of the pin so that the amount the pin is withdrawn may be adjustably varied in order to adjustably vary the rate of oil flow.

In accomplishing these results according to the present invention, a lever 88 is provided in the upper chamber and this lever is pivoted as indicated at 3? on a collar 38 fixed to a vertically reciprocatory pin as. This pin is guided in openings lid and ti in the partition 3i and in the upper wall of cover 38, respectively, and a spring as engaging the partition 8i and the collar 88 normally urges the pin 39 in an upward direction.

The lever it is in contact with a pin id on the upper part 29 of the metering pin 25 and the outer end of the lever passes through an opening t'l in the side wall of cover 33 and is engaged by an eccentric 38 on the shaft 69 of the motor I 5.

It should now be seen that if the pivot 31 is held in position, rotation of motor l5 will move the lever 36 downwardly as the higher side of the eccentric moves toward the lower side of the motor shaft. Upward movement of the valve metering pin and the lever 35 is effected by means of 'a coil spring 50' around the lower end portion of the metering pin, and which engages at its upper end a collar 5! on the metering pin, and at its lower end the upper side of the boss -26. It is now evident that the eccentric operatingin conjunction with the coil spring 50 will cause the metering pin to reciprocate vertically in accordance with the position of the eccentric.

The position of the fulcrum or pivot 37 vertically may be limited by adjustable screws 54 and 55 threaded through the upper wall of the cover 33 and having collars E6 and El on their lowerends disposed at the upper and lower sides, respectively, of a collar 58 fixed on the pin'SQ. Movement of the fulcrum ill downwardly is thermaily eilected by means of a bi-metal element Bil secured to a bracket 6| fastened by means of a screw 62 to a projection 83 on the cover33. This thermal element has a heating element 85 fasjtened to it and the heating element may be energized by means of wires 56 and 51 forming part of a circuit, including a transformer 88 and a contact 69 adapted to be engaged we contact 1d on the thermostat. The transformer is shown in an electric circuit including power lines II and I2 having wires 13 and 74 leading to the motor it. The free end of the thermal element 80 overlies the collar 38 on pin 39.

With the parts as illustrated, the burner is operating at high fire with the thermostat i4 closed, thereby requiring more heat for the space to be heated. Under these conditions, the thermal element 60 is expanded so as to cause the free end thereof to be raised and the spring 43 has moved the collar 38 and pin 39 upwardly as far as permitted. Hence, the pivot or fulcrum 31 is at its upper limit. Operation of the motor I! causes the valve metering pin to vertical!!! reciprocate and since the fulcrum 31 is at its upper limit, the pin moves vertically between the full 4 and broken line positions, as seen in Figure 2. Thus, while the pin passes entirely through the valve opening I! so as to eflect the cleaning or clearing of the valve, the pin is withdrawn a greater amount during the upward movements thereof, and hence the valve i opened a larger amount so that a larger quantity of oil flows to the burner. It will be realized even though the metering pin is reciprocating that oil may flow throughthe opening during the times thatthe pin is withdrawn.

After the space has been heated sufllciently, the thermostat it operates to interrupt the circuit to the heating element 85 and then upon cooling of the thermal element Bil, the free end thereof moves the collar 38 and fulcrum 81 downwardly. The movement of the fulcrum 31 down-.

still effecting the cleaning as previously mentioned. Attention is directed to the fact that the lower end of the metering pin 24 is of conical shape, as indicated at it, and under some circumstances this is desirable so as to insure movement of the pin into and through the opening and also to obtain a more desirable fuel flow controlling-action.

When the space to be heated requires more heat, the thermostat closes and then the thermal element 8!! begins to expand and the metering pin in turn allows a gradually increasing supply of oil to be delivered to the burner. Finally, the thermal element expands sufflciently so as to allow the pivot 87 to reach its upper limit and then oil is supplied at the higher rate. .During these operations, the motor constantly rotates so that the metering pin is being recipro= cated vertically at all times.

The foregoing description relates to the normal operation of the valve mechanism. In the event the motor It should stop for any reason, however, with the high side of the eccentric 48 at the upper side of the shaft 49, the valve stem would be left in an open position and this would allow a full flow of oil to the burner for an indefinite period of time. For the purpose of avoiding this condition, a safety means is provided for closing the valve in the event the motor stops with the valve open which includes a dashpot formed by a cylindrical well 11 in the wall ii, a piston 18 and a coil spring 79 below the piston.

A short rod 80 connected to the piston abuts one end of an arm 8|, pivoted intermediate its ends to the cover '33 as indicated at 82 and a projection 83 on'the lever 36 is adapted to engage the upper side of the arm M in alignment with the rod 80. At the opposite side of the pivot 82, the arms! has its end positioned for engagement with a'pln 88 on the valve stem.

In order to allow air to enter the dashpot below the piston I8, the latter may have a small opening 18 of such size that once the piston is in its lower position, a substantial period of time, for instance 10 to 15 seconds, would be required to allow enough air to enter the dashpot having two openings of this character, the piston could be moved downwardly rapidly butcould only move upwardly at a slow rate.

As the lever of the valve mechanism begins to function, it causes the piston in the dashpot to move downwardly and then the constant movement of the arm maintains the piston in the position shown. It the motor should stop with the high side of the eccentric at the upper side of the shaft 48, the arm 88 would come to a stop in its uppermost position and then the dashpot would begin to function so as to move the arm 8i about its pivot 82, it being understood that the projection 83 would at this time be above and spaced from the arm 8|. Movement of the arm 8| by the dashpot would cause movement of the valve said valve member into said outlet upon stoppage stem downwardly through'engagement of the arm with the pin 85. It should be understood that the parts are so related, including the springs 18 and 50, that the spring 18 would overcome the spring 50 so as to effect closing of the valve, in the event the motor stops as indicated. While the dashpot has been shown between the valve stem 28 and the pin 39, it could be located directly beneath the outer end of the arm 35, or in other words, underneath the eccentric 48. This might be desirable under certain circumstances in order to place the dashpot device at a greater distance from the fulcrum 37. In either case, however, it is to be understood that constant movement of the arm 36 downwardly would hold the piston in its lower position in the dashpot and that upon stopping of the arm in an upper position the dashpot would begin to function so as to swing the arm 6i and close the valve. In other words, the dashpot would function at the right side of the valve stem instead of at the left side. i

In Figure t, instead of using a' valve metering pin having a conical surface 16 on its lower end, the pin has a conically shaped lower end but the sides of the cone have annular steps 87, each of Y which is formed by an upper radial wall 88 and a lower inclined wall 89 so as to provide a relatively sharp edge. In some circumstances, this may be desirable so as to more easily and more emciently clear the valve opening of wax or other material and to cause the material to be carried to the lower side of wall i8. It should be understood that the metering pin in this case will move through the opening in the same manner as previously described.

. Although more than one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it

will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Fuel feeding means for a liquid fuel burner, comprising a casing having a constant level chamber with an outlet below the liquid level, a valve member constructed to fit said outlet and reciprocal into and from said outlet to clean the same and regulate flow therethrough, means to reciprocate said valve member at a rate to supply fuel for a constant burner flame and including a lever and a continuously rotating eccentric engaging said lever, an adjustable member pivotally supporting said lever and movable to reaureciprocate said valve member at a rate to supply fuel for a constant burner flame and including a lever and a continuously rotating eccentric engaging said lever, said valve-member having an abutment engageable with said lever, a spring urging said valve member from said outlet and urging said abutment against said lever and said lever against said eccentric, a safety spring operable to overcome said first-named spring and to move said valve member into said outlet, a dashpot effective for the interval during valve member releasing movement of said lever to hold said safety spring against operation, and means operable by said lever to render said dashpot effective.

3. Fuel feeding means for a liquid fuel burner, comprising a casing having a constant level chamber with an outlet below the liquid level, a valve member constructed to fit said outlet and reciprocal into and from said outlet to clean the same and regulate flow therethrough, means to burner flame, means determining a second position of said adjustable member for a low burner flame, and means to move said adjustable member to and to hold said adjustable member in said positions.

4, Fuel feeding means for a liquid fuel burner,

comprising a casing having a constant levelchamber with an outlet below the liquid level, a valve member constructed to fit said outlet and reciprocal into and from said outlet to clean the same and regulate flow therethrough, means to reciprocate said valve member at a rate to supply fuel for a constant burner flame and including a lever and a continuously rotating eccentric engaging said lever, an adjustable member pivotally supporting said lever and movable to regulate the extent of withdrawal of said valve member from said outlet, means determining a first position of said'adjustable member for a high burner flame, means determining a second position of said adjustable member for a low [burner flame, a spring urging said adjustable member against one of said determining means, and automatic means operable to overcom said spring and move said adjustable member to the other of said determining means.

5. Fuel feeding means for a liquid fuel burner, comprising a casing having a, constant level chamber with an outlet below the liquid level, a valve member constructed to fit said outlet and reciprocal into and from said outlet to clean the same and regulate flow therethrough, means to reciprocate said valve member at a rate to supply fuel for a, constant burner flame and including a lever and a continuously rotating eccentric engaging said lever, an adjustable member pivctally supporting said lever and movable to regulate the extent of withdrawal of said valve member from said outlet, a bimetal member operable-to adjust said adjustable member, and an electric means'for heating said bimetal member.

6. Fuel feeding means for a liquid fuel burner, comprising a casing having a constant level chamber with an outlet below the liquid level, a valve member constructed to fit said outlet and reciprocal into and from said outlet to clean the same and regulate flow therethrough, means to reciprocate said valve member at a rate to supply fuel for a constant burner flame, automatically acting safety means normally tending to move said valve member into said outlet, and means to render said safetymeans inactive.

'1. Fuel feeding means for a liquid fuel burner, comprising a casing having a constant level chamber 'with an outlet below the liquid level, a valve member constructed to fit said outlet and reciprocal into and from said outlet to clean the same and regulate flow therethrough, means to reciprocate said valve member at a rate to supply fuel for a constant burner flame, automatically acting safety means normally tending to move said valve member into said outlet, and means actuated by said reciprocating means to render said safety means inactive.

'level chamber with an outlet below the liquid ciprocating means in valve member open position to move said valve member into said outlet, and

means operable by said reciprocating means to render said delay means ineffective.

9. Fuel feeding means for a liquid fuel burner, comprising a casing having a constant level chamber with an outlet below the liquid level, a valve member constructed to fit said outlet and reciprocal into and from said outlet to clean the same and regulate flow therethrough, means to reciprocate said valve member at a rate to supply fuel for a constant burner flame, said valve member being operable to have independent movement relative to said reciprocating means, a spring cooperable with said valve member and operable upon stoppage of said reciprocating means in ply fuel for a constant burner flame, means controlling said valve member to supply fuel for ahigher constant burner flame and including au-' tornatic means gradually varying the quantity of fuel supplied during the transition between saidhigher constant flame and said first-named 'con stant flame.

11. A fuel flow controlling device comprising a. casing having a pasageway for flow of fuel, said passageway having a valve opening, a reciprocally movable metering pin cooperable with said opening, means normally urging said pin toward open position, means for reciprocating said pin in a substantially continual manner at a rate operable to maintain a constant burner flame, automatically acting safety means for moving said pin to valve closed position in the event that said reciprocating means should stop operating with said pin in an open position, and said safety means being operable to oppose and to overcome said normally urging means for safety operation.

WALTER S. LANDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the.

file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,388,894 Roesch Aug. 30, 1921 1,556,817 Higgins Oct. 13, 1925 1,582,725 Bethel Apr. 27, 1926 1,594,021 Smith July 27, 1926 1,820,774 Boyce Aug. 25, 1931 2,091,734 Himes Aug. 31, 1937 2,314,802 Skerritt Mar. 23, 1943 2,341,145 Kirkpatrick Feb, 8, 1944 

